Weight throw world mark leads first day of USATF National Masters Indoor Championships

2/17/2017

ALBUQUERQUE – A world record for age 70-74 in the weight throw by 1976 Olympian Larry Hart (Los Angeles, California) highlighted a stellar number of accomplishments, including seven American records, on the first day of USATF Masters Indoor Championships at Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 1976 Olympian broke the previous M70 record with a 21.08/69-1.2 throw. Hart was also 1975 Pan American Games gold medalist in the hammer throw. In his effort today, he beat former rival Ed Burke’s world mark in the weight throw.

Gloria Krug (New Oxford, Pennsylvania) was a double record setter, with American records in both the women’s 85-89 long jump and shot put. Krug threw 6.72m/22-00.75 and jumped 1.51m/4-11.50 in her impressive display of athleticism. Krug now has four American indoor and ten American outdoor records.

In spite of her wins today, Krug said, “Jumping is not my thing. I do it to keep my knees active so I can throw… I feel good.”

Quenton “Doug” Torbert (Redlands, California), coming off his gold at the 2016 WMA Outdoors in M60, won the shot put in 15.33m as part of the 65-70 age group.

Many-time Masters of the Year honoree Kathy Martin (Northport, Long Island) celebrated moving to a new age group by not only winning the W65 3,000m, but setting a new American record in 11:53.32 despite the mile-high elevation. Martin battled on the track against W55 winner Mary Swan (Penn Valley, Pennsylvania)and runner up Laura Bruess (Boulder, Colorado) for the overall lead. Martin began the race at the front, maintaining her dominance for most of the 15-lap run. The younger Swan and Bruess made a pass near the end, finishing just ahead of Martin in 11:49.67 and 11:52.18, respectively.

In the 400m, two American records were broken across men’s and women’s groups. Bob Lida (Wichita, Kansas) crushed the M80 400m in 1:13.34, nearly a full minute ahead of second place. Lorraine Jasper (Birchrunville, Pennsylvania) broke the W55 American record in 1:06.79 in a fast-paced final.

Also of note, the meet’s oldest competitor, 99-year-old Orville Rogers (Dallas, Texas), made his 2017 masters championship debut in the M95 400m dash, finishing in 4:08.88. He has three events to go.

Tomorrow’s events begin at 9:00am local time with the M80-99 long jump and W55-70 60m. Admission is free. Fans can follow along onTwitter,Instagram,SnapchatandFacebook using #USATFmasters.